Xgasteraloe plant named &#39;aurora&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of × Gasteraloe  plant named ‘Aurora’ that is characterized by a basal rosette plant shape and green serrated leaves with white spots and white teeth.

Botanical classification: ×Gasteraloe hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Aurora’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of×Gasteraloe plant botanically known as ×Gasteraloe hybrid andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Aurora’.

‘Aurora’ originated from the crossing of the female or seed parent,Gasteraloe ‘Royal Wolfgang’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,667) with the maleor pollen parent, an unnamed Aloe aristata cultivar. The crossing wasconducted in 2010 in Sappemeer, Netherlands. The resulting seeds weresubsequently planted and grown. The cultivar ‘Aurora’ was selected bythe inventor in 2012 in a controlled environment as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in a cultivated area ofSappemeer, Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Aurora’ first occurred by leafcuttings in 2012 in Sappemeer, Netherlands. Since that time, undercareful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar havebeen uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new×Gasteraloe cultivar ‘Aurora’. These traits in combination distinguish‘Aurora’ as a new and distinct cultivar apart from other existingvarieties of ×Gasteraloe known by the inventor.

-   -   1. ×Gasteraloe ‘Aurora’ exhibits green leaves with white spots.    -   2. ×Gasteraloe ‘Aurora’ exhibits leaf margins with white teeth.    -   3. ×Gasteraloe ‘Aurora’ exhibits a basal rosette plant shape.

The closest comparison cultivars are Aloe ‘Tiki Zilla’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 25,343) and plants of the species Gasteraloe beguinii (notpatented). ‘Aurora’ is distinguishable from ‘Tiki Zilla’ by thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. ×Gasteraloe ‘Aurora’ exhibits narrower leaves than the leaves        of ‘Tiki Zilla’.    -   2. ×Gasteraloe ‘Aurora’ exhibits lighter green colored leaves        than the leaves of ‘Tiki Zilla’.    -   3. ×Gasteraloe ‘Aurora’ exhibits a larger number of teeth on the        leaf margins than the teeth on the leaf margins of ‘Tiki Zilla’.

‘Aurora’ is distinguishable from plants of the species Gasteraloebeguinii by the to following characteristics:

-   -   1. ×Gasteraloe ‘Aurora’ exhibits shorter and wider leaves than        plants of the species Gasteraloe beguinii.    -   2. ×Gasteraloe ‘Aurora’ exhibits a less erect plant habit than        plants of the species Gasteraloe beguinii.

‘Aurora’ is distinguishable from the female parent plant, by thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. ×Gasteraloe ‘Aurora’ exhibits shorter leaves than the female        parent plant.    -   2. ×Gasteraloe ‘Aurora’ exhibits a more compact habit than the        female parent plant.

‘Aurora’ is distinguishable from the male parent plant by the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. ×Gasteraloe ‘Aurora’ exhibits leaves that are wider and        thicker than leaves of the male parent plant.    -   2. ×Gasteraloe ‘Aurora’ exhibits a more upright, erect growth        habit. In comparison, the male parent plant exhibits a flatter        growth habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits of×Gasteraloe ‘Aurora’. The photograph shows an overall view of a 24 monthold plant. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques andalthough colors may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance, it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographictechniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new ×Gasteraloe cultivarnamed ‘Aurora’. Data was collected in Sappemeer, Netherlands from 24month old plants grown in a glass greenhouse in 15 cm. diametercontainers. The time of year was Winter and the temperature range was18-20 degrees Centigrade during the day and 15-18 degrees Centigrade atnight. The light level was natural light level. No photoperiodictreatments or growth retardants were used. Color determinations are inaccordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2015edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. The growing requirements are similar to thespecies. ‘Aurora’ has not been tested under all possible conditions andphenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental,climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance ingenotype.

-   Botanical classification: ×Gasteraloe hybrid ‘Aurora’.-   Annual or perennial: Perennial.-   Parentage: ‘Aurora’ is a hybrid of the female parent, Gasteraloe    ‘Royal Wolfgang’ and the male parent, an unknown Aloe aristata    cultivar.-   Plant type: Potted plant.-   Growth habit: Basal rosette.-   Plant shape: Globe shaped.-   Suitable container size: 7 cm. pots or larger.-   Plant height: 14.5 cm.-   Plant width: 22.0 cm.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Low temperature tolerance: 10° Centigrade.-   High temperature tolerance: 35° Centigrade.-   Propagation: Leaf cuttings and micro-propagation.-   Time to initiate roots (summer): 14 days at 20° C.-   Time to initiate roots (winter): 21 days at 20° C.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting (summer): 80 days at 20° C.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting (winter): 90 days at 20° C.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Crop time: Approximately 35 to 40 weeks in Sappemeer, Netherlands.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous.-   Plant fragrance: None.-   Branching habit: Leaves arise in basal rosette, no branches.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Basal rosette.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Average 80.        -   Leaf shape.—Ovate to broad lanceolate, succulent.        -   Leaf aspect.—Concave.        -   Leaf apex.—Long apiculate.        -   Leaf base.—Broad cuneate.        -   Leaf dimensions.—11.0 cm. in length, 4.3 cm. in width and            1.0 cm. in thickness.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Pustulate, covered with small dots,            0.2 cm. in diameter.        -   Leaf luster.—Matte (both surfaces).        -   Leaf rugose.—Not rugose.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Leaf margin.—Sharp serrate, teeth 0.1 cm. in length.        -   Venation pattern.—None visible.        -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—NN137B, towards base 144A            to 144B, dots 193C, margin teeth NN155B.        -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—NN137B, towards base 144A            to 144B, dots 193D, margin teeth NN155B.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—Between 147A and N189A,            towards base 194A to 194D, base 193D, dots 193C, margin            teeth NN155B.        -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—Between NN137A and 147A,            towards base 137C, base 193D, dots 193D, margin teeth            NN155B.-   Flower: ‘Aurora’ has not produced flowers to date.-   Fruit and seed: ‘Aurora’ has not produced fruit or seed to date.-   Disease and pest resistance: Disease and pest resistance has not    been observed.

1. A new and distinct variety of ×Gasteraloe plant named ‘Aurora’ asdescribed and illustrated.